India, March 26 -- Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum. This cancer develops as polyps (abnormal growths) that can become cancerous, if not removed. However, consumption of tobacco has been observed to be one of the reasons behind colorectal cancer. Shedding light on it, in an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Neeraj Goel, director - oncology services, GI oncology, GI & HPB surgery at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, explained the link. Also read | Diet plan, lifestyle changes to help prevent colorectal cancer

"The consumption of tobacco has been considered as one of the significant risk factors for colorectal cancer and has brought about the formation of carcinogens due to tobacco smoke, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress ...